DIY Plans vs. Hiring a Pro — What I Learned the Hard Way
I once paid a guy $400 to build a simple table I could’ve made myself for under $50.
Later, I used these plans and saved over $300 doing it myself.
He did okay work, but it didn’t feel right — and I had nothing to show for it except the receipt.
That’s when I realized: it’s not just about saving money. It’s about learning how to build and owning your skill.
They think it’s faster
They’re afraid of messing up
They don’t have a plan
They assume they need expensive tools
But here’s the truth: with the right plan, most basic home projects don’t need a pro.
They need patience and clear instructions.
I bought a plan pack I’d seen a few times before —
Ted’s Woodworking Plans. 16,000 DIY projects, all downloadable, with step-by-step guides.
Want to see what’s actually included? Here’s the full breakdown.
I figured even if I only used one plan, it’d be cheaper than hiring again.
I ended up building 3 things that month:
A bench
A storage cube
And a tool rack
If you’re wondering what you could build this weekend, these 3 beginner projects are a great place to start.
Total cost in materials: under $90
Total confidence gained: priceless
TaskPro CostDIY w/ PlansTools NeededShoe Rack$150+$25–30Drill, clampsGarden Bench$250+$45–60Saw, drillGarage Shelf$300+$35Saw, level, drill
That one-time purchase of the plan library paid for itself after the first project.
You stop guessing
You start understanding materials and measurements
You build confidence
The goal isn’t just to save money.
It’s to stop paying for things you can actually build yourself.
If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I could build that,” — you probably can.
These are the plans I used to go from watching builds to doing them:
Q: I’ve never built anything. Can I still use these?
A: Yes — I hadn’t either. The beginner projects walk you through everything.
Q: Are the plans printable?
A: Yes. You can download and print any project you want.
Q: Is it cheaper than hiring a handyman?
A: Way cheaper — and it teaches you more than any receipt will.